Swamphens first spotted in Pembroke Pines yard

April 5, 2009|Mike Clary

Although purple swamphens have long been common in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, the first population of note in the United States turned up in the Pembroke Pines backyard of Kim and Kevin Schnitzius.

The year was 1996.

Those birds may have escaped from nearby hobbyists or been related to eight birds reportedly liberated from Miami Metrozoo by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

From Pembroke Pines, the swamphen population took off.

Despite efforts of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to wipe them out, the swamphen has become established.

"I'm not surprised," said Kim Schnitzius.

"I saw how fast the population exploded after we first saw them. They did not seem aggressive; they seemed to get along fine with [other marsh birds]. I'm kind of glad they're still out there."